US hits dozens of targets in Iran overnight as peace efforts under threat

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Central Command says strikes aimed at diminishing Iranian military while mediators say talks are continuing</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/jul/30/us-iran-war-live-updates-missile-strikes-attacks-iraq-egypt-middle-east-crisis-latest-news">Middle East crisis – live updates</a></p></li></ul><p>The US military has struck dozens of targets in Iran overnight in retaliation for Tehran’s attack on American forces in Jordan on Wednesday, sparking a further Iranian response and threatening prospects for negotiations to achieve a permanent peace.</p><p>The strikes – the first in more than five days – were launched hours after the US president, Donald Trump, vowed to hit Iran “very hard” following Tehran’s targeting of a base in Jordan that hosts American troops. The latest attacks come after a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/26/us-pauses-trump-netanyahu-attacks-on-iran-talks-hormuz">days-long pause in violence between the two sides</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/30/us-strikes-iran-war-widening-iraq">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.